Davids: We showed them in the second half

Cape Town - Maritzburg United coach Fadlu Davids praised his players for turning in a top performance to help the Team of Choice beat Mamelodi Sundowns 3-1 in Sunday's Nedbank Cup semi-final. 

Despite going an early goal down to a Gaston Sirino strike, goals from Lebohang Maboe, Mxolisi Kunene and Fortune Makaringe ensured the victory went to the outfit from Pietermaritzburg. 

The win sets up an interesting final against Free State Stars on 19 May, with Ea Lla Koto disposing of Kaizer Chiefs in their semi-final tie. 

Speaking to SuperSport after the triumph, Davids said: "We shouldn't be too flattered with the score, the main thing is that we are through to the final for the first time in the Club’s history. 

"I'm so proud of the players and the amount of effort that they put in, not only today but from the beginning of the season. From the first day of the pre-season. 

"I hope that they can start believing how good they are. I've been telling them since the first game of the season. Start believing how good you really are. 

"Tactically they follow instructions to the tee. That is what it is about. On the other hand you have to give Sundowns credit. In the first half they really closed us up. Conceding in the first two minutes of the game was disappointing, but that is where I want to commend my players. 

"You can easily drop your heads and take it in a bad way, but we acted positively and in the second half we showed them. We couldn't really unlock them, but that was through no fault of our own due to Pitso (Mosimane) and him analysing the spaces that we want to use."